The Africa Ship

Ludwig Bockholt, Zeppelin L 59, and the Most Daring Rescue Mission of WWI
Imperial Germany's desperate attempt to resupply Paul Emil von Lettow-Vorbeck and his stranded army in East Africa via airship.
Imperial Germany's desperate attempt to resupply Paul Emil von Lettow-Vorbeck and his stranded army in East Africa via airship.

Paul Emil von Lettow-Vorbeck, who commanded Imperial German forces in East Africa during the First World War, is widely regarded as one of the finest military leaders of the war, on either side. He and his men managed not only to evade capture or destruction, but to truly instill fear within their primarily British opposition. This was despite being not only vastly outnumbered but also nearly impossible to resupply from Europe. The Royal Navy smothered East Africa with an incredibly effective blockade, while the Allied forces on the ground controlled all major rail lines.

In late 1917, the German navy devised a desperate plan to resupply von Lettow-Vorbeck's army via airship. The plan called for a lone airship, L 59, to be piloted by Captain Ludwig Bockholt and an all-volunteer crew from Bulgaria directly to the East African colony. There was no consideration of a return journey; L 59 would be disassembled for supplies and her crew would join the fight on the ground.  This work details the planning, execution, and eventual failure of this ambitious operation, along with the sad fate of L 59 and her crew.

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